Puppy Application — Vickery German Shorthaired Pointers

We place puppies in hunting, performance, detection, and active companion homes, always with a focus on matching each dog to the role where they will thrive. Above all, our priority is ensuring every puppy goes to a home that understands the breed’s needs and is committed to providing a purposeful, engaged life.

What You Can Expect From Us

Puppies raised in our home with Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) and Puppy Culture protocols, including daily handling, socialization, and exposure to varied environments.
Careful evaluation of each puppy at 7–8 weeks, considering personality, temperament, structure, drive, and activity level.
Matching of puppies to homes based on goals, lifestyle, and needs—not a “pick order.”
Lifetime support, mentorship, and guidance for all of our puppy buyers and working partners.

What We Expect From You

A clear understanding of the exercise, training, and enrichment needs of the German Shorthaired Pointer.
A willingness to participate in ongoing training, whether that’s hunting, performance sports, or structured work like detection.
Active communication with us, including updates on training, health, and achievements throughout the dog’s life.
A commitment to return the dog to us if circumstances ever prevent you from keeping them.

Our Placement Process

We don’t sell puppies by “pick order.” Instead, we carefully evaluate each litter and get to know our buyers so we can make the best possible match. By the time puppies are ready to go home, we know them inside and out—and that knowledge helps us place them where they’ll thrive.

Evaluations are done at seven to eight weeks, considering personality, temperament, drive, structure, and activity level. When we recommend a puppy, it’s based on both what we’ve learned about that pup and what we’ve learned about you. If two puppies are equally good fits, you’ll be offered the choice between them.

Markings or color never play a role in placement decisions. What matters most is finding the right home for each dog, and the right dog for each family.

All puppies are sold on AKC limited registration unless specifically placed as show or breeding prospects. In those cases, a co-ownership is required to ensure responsible mentorship, health testing, and breeding decisions. Co-ownerships are typically concluded once the dog is retired from breeding and altered, by mutual agreement with Vickery.

Puppy pick-up takes place at our home when the puppies are 8–10 weeks old. On pick-up day, we finalize paperwork, answer questions, and send your puppy home with their belongings and starter supplies. We do not ship puppies by cargo (air, bus, or otherwise). Delivery may be arranged at an additional cost depending on your location, or you are welcome to fly to us—often the most practical and reliable option.

Our dogs thrive when given purpose, structure, and engagement—whether that’s working as a hunting dog, competing in performance sports, pursuit of a professional role, or simply being a full participant in an active family’s daily life. They need consistent training, clear boundaries, and opportunities to use their energy and intelligence. We are always available as a resource for questions or support, and we value staying connected with our dogs throughout their lives.

Application Process

Before you apply, we ask that you take the time to review our website in full, including projected litter plans, to ensure our timeline aligns with your goals and needs. Once you are ready, please complete the application below with as much detail as possible. There are no “right” or “wrong” answers—this is simply a way for us to get to know you. We personally contact everyone who applies.

Please keep in mind that our waitlist often fills well before puppies are born. Once we review your application, we will provide our best estimate of the anticipated timeframe for when a puppy may be available to you. If you wish to continue the process, we will send you a copy of our contract to review. If it feels like the right fit, simply let us know you are ready to proceed. If not, we appreciate your honesty so we can offer the opportunity to another family.

At that stage, we will schedule a video interview via Zoom, or an in-person meeting if you are local. This gives us the chance to go over your application, discuss our contract, and talk through your expectations and goals for a puppy, as well as any questions either side may have. We ask that applicants not place themselves on multiple waiting lists without being upfront about it. When we accept a family onto our list, we may be turning others away, so communication is essential. There are never hard feelings if you decide to pursue another option—just let us know so we can reopen the spot for someone else.

Finally, please remember that the questionnaire below is designed to help us make the best match between puppies and homes. Honesty and detail are key. Bringing home a dog is both a joy and a serious commitment, and we are dedicated to placing our puppies in homes that value them as family members while also supporting their potential in the field, performance sports, or working roles.

The Vickery Puppy Application

Name *

First Name

Last Name

Email *

Address *

Address 1

Address 2

City

State/Province

Zip/Postal Code

Country

Phone *

(###)

###

####

I am interested in: *

Male

Female

No Preference

Can you be flexible with the sex of your puppy? *

Yes

What are you interested in doing with this dog? (Check all that apply) *

Hunting

Performance Sports (agility, dock diving, rally, etc.)

Detection / Specialized Working Role

Active Family Companion

Other

Why have you chosen a German Shorthaired Pointer, and why Vickery? *

Have you owned a GSP or another high-drive working breed before? If yes, please tell us about your experience. *

What traits are most important to you in a dog (e.g., drive, off-switch in the home, sociability, independence, athleticism, etc.)? *

Have you trained or titled a dog in hunting, performance sports, detection, or advanced obedience work? *

Please describe your training philosophy and experience. How do you plan to approach crate training, obedience, and household manners with your puppy? What role will training and structure play in your dog’s daily life? *

What will your puppy’s living arrangements be (in the home, kennel setup, combination)? Where will the puppy sleep at night, and where will they be when you’re away from home? *

What does a typical weekday and weekend look like for you, and how will your puppy fit into that schedule? *

German Shorthaired Pointers need more than physical exercise. What plans do you have for providing mental enrichment? *

Who lives in your household (including ages of children, if any) and what other pets do you own? How does each member of your household feel about bringing home a high-drive working breed? *

Are you interested in breeding this dog? *

Yes

Do you breed dogs now or have you had experience breeding dogs? If yes, how many litters do you breed per year? *

If you do not plan to breed, will you agree to wait to spay/neuter the dog until it reaches 24 months of age? Current veterinary science has proven that waiting until 24 months allows all growth plates and joints to be closed, as well as other systems of the body to be finished developing. This reduces the risk for many illnesses and joint injuries. *

Yes

Do you own or rent your home? *

Rent

Own

If you rent, do you have your landlord’s permission to keep a dog? If so, please include their contact information here. *

Will your puppy primarily live in the house with the family, in a kennel setup, or a combination of both? *

Are you willing to give the dog back to the us or ask us for assistance if you can no longer care for or keep the dog for any reason? *

Yes

If not, what will happen to the dog? *

Will you agree to always keep us current with regard to your address and contact information, update us on how your pup is doing at least once per year, and inform us of any problems that may develop with the pup over their lifetime? *

Yes

Do you have a veterinarian we may contact as a reference? Please provide their contact information. *

Are you willing to maintain required veterinary care, vaccinations, and preventive health measures (heartworm, flea/tick, etc.)? *

Are you willing and financially able to afford long term or expensive treatment if something unexpected occurs with your dog? Due to their high drive nature and rambunctious personalities, we strongly recommend obtaining medical insurance for this breed. *

Please provide the contact information for two personal references here (previous breeders, trainers, dog sport friends, handlers, etc). *

Is there anything else you’d like us to know about you, your goals, or the home you can provide for a puppy?

Thank you!

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